Opioids and Covid-19: Perfect Storm, or Perfect Opportunity?

Abstract

The opioid epidemic in the United States has been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to increased stress and isolation, reduced access to addiction treatment services, and a disruption in the supply chain for conventional opioids, resulting in more dangerous and potent drugs entering the market. This has led to a spike in overdose deaths, particularly from fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. The availability of Naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal medication, has also been affected by the pandemic, with shortages in some areas due to supply chain disruptions. Access to buprenorphine and methadone, drugs used in opioid use disorder (OUD) therapy, has also been limited due to social distancing guidelines, however government policy has gradually adapted to loosen regulations surrounding their access.